Deise into Crystal Cup semis

Waterford 2-13 IT Tralee 3-5

Last year’s minor captain Martin O’Neill was among the goalscorers as Waterford marched into the semi-finals of the Waterford Crystal Cup, beating IT Tralee by 2-13 to 3-5.

The Deise proved too strong for IT Tralee in sunny conditions at Austin Stack Park, with Shane Walsh and O’Neill registering the visitors’ goals. The win sees Davy Fitzgerald’s men through to a semi-final clash with either Tipperary or Clare.

With James Murray and Eoin Whelan paired together at midfield, Waterford made a confident start and laid the foundations for a 1-8 to 0-3 half-time lead.

Free-taker Maurice Shanahan provided the bulk of the scores, and Walsh’s goal, coming after a fine run in from the sideline and precision shot, left the Tralee side with a mountain to climb.

Nicky Jacob of St. Saviour’s was introduced by Fitzgerald for the second half and the Deise were celebrating their second goal when Michael Walsh dummied his way through and passed for O’Neill to smash home.

The impressively accurate Shanahan tapped over another point off his left to make it 2-9 to 0-3, before Tralee roused themselves with a 37th minute goal from Corkman Denis Crowley.

Further goals from substitute Paudie O’Connor, who scored with his first touch, and Crowley saw Tralee show some admirable fight, but Waterford responded through O’Neill and company as normal service resumed.